The Fund’s A5 share class returned -1.9%* in euro terms in April. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Index, returned -0.9%.
Shares in Europe fell in April as the prospect of interest cuts in the US weakened following higher-than-expected inflation readings. While cuts in the US appear to have been pushed back, economic data in the Eurozone was more encouraging and suggested that the ECB may continue on its plans to cut rates in June. In terms of sector performance, energy (+6.4%) and healthcare (+1.1%) led the way, while information technology (-5.5%), consumer discretionary (-4.6%) and industrials (-1.5%) were a drag on the MSCI Europe Index (in euro terms).
In a busy month of earnings releases for our portfolio companies, the top performer was Finnish marine and energy company Wartsila (+23%), which performed strongly on the release of robust Q1 results. Net sales fell 10% to €1.3 billion, primarily due to the lumpy nature of equipment sales, some of which are now expected to feed through in the second half of the year. However, services sales grew by 13%, order intake increased by 11% to €1.9 billion, and the company commented that it expects to see an improvement in the demand environment over the next 12 months.
On the final day of the month, CaixaBank (+10) announced a 17.5% increase in net profit for Q1 due to higher loan revenue and solid performance from its insurance subsidiary. Slightly above analyst estimates, CaixaBank's net interest income, rose 27.4% year-on-year in the quarter to €2.78 billion.
Atlas Copco (+7.2%) was among the top performers after the Swedish manufacturer of industrial equipment reported stronger-than-expected Q1 order intake, while predicting that demand would remain at current levels in the near term.
Dutch payments firm Adyen (-28%) was the most significant detractor over the month after the company missed revenue estimates for Q1. Adyen reported net revenue of €438 million, marking a 21% increase from the previous year and below average expectations.
Tenaris (-15%), the manufacturer and supplier of seamless steel pipe products, was also among the poor performers. The company’s share price first took a hit mid-month following a ratings downgrade, and then fell further towards the end of the month after announcing a poorly received Q1 earnings update. Tenaris revealed a 17% year-on-year decrease in sales, to $1.4 billion. Despite this decline, the company also reported an increase in EBITDA for the period, reaching $987 million.
Positive contributors to performance included:
Wartsila (+23%), Atlas Copco (+7.2), Caixabank (+10%)
Negative contributors to performance included:
Adyen (-28%), Tenaris (-14%), UBS Group (-11%)
Key Features of the Liontrust GF Pan-European Growth Fund
The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital growth over the long-term by predominantly investing in a portfolio of European equities. The Investment Adviser will seek to achieve the investment objective of the Fund through investment of at least 80% of the Fund’s Net Asset Value in companies which are incorporated, domiciled, listed or conduct significant business in Europe (the EEA, Switzerland and the UK). The Fund will not be restricted in its choice of investment by either size or sector.
The Fund is considered to be actively managed in reference to MSCI Europe Index (the “Benchmark”) by virtue of the fact that it uses the Benchmark for performance comparison purposes and for certain Performance Fee Share Classes, to calculate performance fees. The Benchmark is not used to define the portfolio composition of the Fund and the Fund may be wholly invested in securities which are not constituents of the Benchmarks.
The Fund is not expected to have any exposure to financial derivative instruments in normal circumstances, but the Investment Adviser may on occasion, where it deems it appropriate in seeking to achieve the investment objective of the Fund, use financial derivative instruments listed on a recognised exchange or traded on an organised market or financial derivative instruments traded over-the-counter for investment purposes, efficient portfolio management, and hedging purposes.
In addition, the Fund may invest in exchange traded funds and other eligible open-ended collective investment schemes. No more than 10% of the net assets of the Fund will be invested in aggregate in open-ended collective investment schemes. The Fund may invest in closed-ended funds that qualify as transferable securities. Investment in closed-ended funds is not expected to comprise a significant portion of the Fund’s net assets and will not typically exceed 10% of net assets.
For liquidity or cash management purposes, a proportion of the Fund may also be invested in debt securities including government and corporate bonds, Money Market Instruments, cash and near cash and deposits. Any investment in bonds will be in investment grade corporate and government fixed or floating rate instruments.The Fund is considered to be actively managed in reference to the MSCI Europe Index (the “Benchmark”) by virtue of the fact that it uses the Benchmark for performance comparison purposes and to calculate performance fees. The Benchmark is not used to define the portfolio composition of the Fund and the Fund may be wholly invested in securities which are not constituents of the Benchmark.
KEY RISKS
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the income generated from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you originally invested.
Overseas investments may carry a higher currency risk. They are valued by reference to their local currency which may move up or down when compared to the currency of the Fund. This Fund may have a concentrated portfolio, i.e. hold a limited number of investments (35 or fewer) or have significant sector or factor exposures. If one of these investments or sectors / factors fall in value this can have a greater impact on The Fund's value than if it held a larger number of investments across a more diversified portfolio. The fund’s investment objective is to target capital growth for investors. Growth stocks tend to pay out lower levels of dividend resulting in lower income yields and may produce more volatile returns than the market as a whole. Outside of normal conditions, the Fund may hold higher levels of cash which may be deposited with several credit counterparties (e.g. international banks). A credit risk arises should one or more of these counterparties be unable to return the deposited cash. The issue of units/shares in Liontrust Funds may be subject to an initial charge, which will have an impact on the realisable value of the investment, particularly in the short term. Investments should always be considered as long term.
DISCLAIMER
This is a marketing communication. Before making an investment, you should read the relevant Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID), which provide full product details including investment charges and risks. These documents can be obtained, free of charge, from www.liontrust.co.uk or direct from Liontrust. Always research your own investments. If you are not a professional investor please consult a regulated financial adviser regarding the suitability of such an investment for you and your personal circumstances.
This should not be construed as advice for investment in any product or security mentioned, an offer to buy or sell units/shares of Funds mentioned, or a solicitation to purchase securities in any company or investment product. Examples of stocks are provided for general information only to demonstrate our investment philosophy. The investment being promoted is for units in a fund, not directly in the underlying assets. It contains information and analysis that is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change without notice. Whilst care has been taken in compiling the content of this document, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Liontrust as to its accuracy or completeness, including for external sources (which may have been used) which have not been verified. It should not be copied, forwarded, reproduced, divulged or otherwise distributed in any form whether by way of fax, email, oral or otherwise, in whole or in part without the express and prior written consent of Liontrust.
